GW690II Frame Spacing

Keith (M)

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Nov 22, 2010
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N Wilts, UK
Last week I took delivery of a GW690II and since then have put four rolls through it. The results (see some here) have been very pleasing, the lens is superb and items such as the rangefinder and shutter speeds work as they should. The one point of concern is frame spacing. It is inconsistent and some frames are separated only by the width of a scissor blade. Is inconsistent frame spacing a known point on the GW690?

The camera came with a six month guarantee but rather than send it back immediately I will put more rolls through it to see if it settles down.
 
Are you being consistent in winding? Consistent pressure, speed, etc.? I found it didn't like uneven pressure, etc. I can't remember all the factors, but I know I got uneven spacing when I wasn't paying attention.

Although I don't remember extremely narrow spacing. Maybe 1/8 inch or a bit less as the minimum?

Also look inside the back. See if the rollers and other such parts look clean and aligned. Again I don't remember the details (don't have it any more), but there may be a roller that isn't being pressured correctly or such.
 
With my GW690 (not II) I have observed a similar thing. The spacing is somewhat inconsistent but two frames never get really close. It's the odd mm more or less.
 
Are you being consistent in winding? Consistent pressure, speed, etc.? I found it didn't like uneven pressure, etc. I can't remember all the factors, but I know I got uneven spacing when I wasn't paying attention.

Although I don't remember extremely narrow spacing. Maybe 1/8 inch or a bit less as the minimum?

Also look inside the back. See if the rollers and other such parts look clean and aligned. Again I don't remember the details (don't have it any more), but there may be a roller that isn't being pressured correctly or such.

Thanks. Visually everything looks fine. I did wonder if the speed of operation of the wind-on lever could have an effect, maybe operating too fast causes some slippage. Never seen this effect on either my Leica M7 or MP though. Will monitor things carefully with the next roll.
 
The film spacing should be relatively even, and speed of winding should not cause significant variation. Generally those symptoms indicate the need for film transport system overhaul: clean/lube and often nothing more. Should be a rather affordable servicing I would think.
 
Put film #5 through the GW690 last week and was careful to wind-on with steady/even speed/pressure. Pulling the film off the reel to hang-up to dry, I was pleased to see that the spacing was all very even. Will continue to monitor things.
 
My older GSW 690 needs carefully, even, gentle winding to produce reglar spacing.
My newer GW 690 III does not care about hefty winding, always produces even spacing.
 
Put film #5 through the GW690 last week and was careful to wind-on with steady/even speed/pressure. Pulling the film off the reel to hang-up to dry, I was pleased to see that the spacing was all very even. Will continue to monitor things.

I have this with my new to me GW690II also. Thinking about how it works though I can see the issue. The first wind cocks the shutter, and the second just finishes the film advance. If you get sloppy on that second wind the shutter will still fire but spacing could be off. Mine too seems to like it when I pay more attention.
 
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